The Ulster Unionist leader has renewed his call for a public inquiry into allegations of Garda collusion in a number of IRA killings near the Border during the Troubles. Mr David Trimble called for immediate publication of the Garda investigation report into the allegations, which was submitted to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, in February.
"In the case, particularly of Garda collusion with the IRA, there is evidence. We're not dealing with suspicion, we're not inventing anything," Mr Trimble said.
It was claimed in a book about the IRA in south Armagh, published in 1999 by an English journalist, Toby Harnden, that information passed to the IRA led to the killing of RUC Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan after they left Dundalk Garda station in 1989.
Mr Harnden was interviewed as part of the Garda investigation and Mr Trimble said he wanted to see the text of the interview. He claimed that the Garda investigation had been conducted in a "secret, hole-in-the-corner" manner.
However, the North's First Minister confirmed he had no knowledge that RUC officers liaised with gardai as part of last year's investigation, which was headed by Chief Supt Sean Camon, of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
"The RUC have evidence and Harnden's book makes that clear," Mr Trimble insisted.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said yesterday that Mr O'Donoghue would not publish the report because of its confidential nature. He said no evidence of Garda collusion had been uncovered.
"In addition, the investigating officers were informed by the RUC, which also carried out an investigation into the allegations, that no evidence existed, nor could any documentation be located which evidences any such Garda collusion with subversives," the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Mr Trimble said it was still possible that the Alliance Party would "come to its senses" and withdrawn from East Belfast, North Down, Strangford and South Antrim to allow UUP pro-agreement candidates a clear run against anti-agreement unionists.
The Alliance leader, Mr Sean Neeson, said that the door remained open for negotiation of a pact until nominations closed next Tuesday. However, he ruled out withdrawing the party's East Belfast candidate.
"What Mr Trimble is saying publicly is very much at odds with what he is saying privately. It is disappointing that such unnecessary and unhelpful statements have been made," Mr Neeson said.